Week 208 (17th– 23rd August 2007)

Madonna and TigerWoods reunited and 327 sleeps outdoors

With both Cathay and Madonna no longer displaying any sexual activity, it was clear that they were no longer in season. It was decided to move TigerWoods back into the 9 ha camp to be with Madonna again.

It was done on a feeding day. A springbok carcass was dropped in the 9 ha camp for Madonna. She immediately came and claimed it, dragged it some distance away and then started to play with the carcass. Another springbok carcass was used to lure TigerWoods from the 4 ha camp, through the quarantine camp back into the 9 ha camp. It worked very well and TigerWoods immediately entered the 9 ha camp. Madonna was overjoyed! She left her carcass and immediately ran to TigerWoods, chuffing and rubbing up against him. TigerWoods responded and a game of run, catch, trip and tackle ensued with both tigers playing exuberantly with one another until after dark. They had both (for once!) forgotten about their food and instead enjoyed each other’s company.

With the weather becoming much warmer and the nights no longer being cold, 327 was left in the quarantine camp overnight for most of the week. In the beginning he was not a happy tiger and tried every sad facial expression he could think of to trick the staff into letting him back into the breeding centre. It is time for him to bond with the other tigers where at present he is completely bonded to his cages. By the second night he was much happier staying outside and slept inside the pole shelter every night where fresh river sand had been placed to make it more comfortable for him.

He still ignores Cathay despite her pacing and chuffing next to the fence. Many days he deliberately turns his back on her, pretending not to see her. He also ignored TigerWoods and Madonna during the first part of the week, but towards the end of the week he acknowledged TigerWoods’ chuffs and he even paced with Madonna on one occasion.